Liam Payne funeral: Emotional One Direction stars reunite after nearly a decade
Nearly a decade after their last performance together, the stars of One Direction were finally back together for a devastating reason.
Celebrity Life
Don't miss out on the headlines from Celebrity Life. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Zayn Malik has reunited with his ex-One Direction bandmates for the first time since he left the group in 2015.
Harry Styles, Louis Tomlinson, Niall Horan and Zayn Malik gathered to say goodbye to Liam Payne at his funeral on Wednesday, reports The Sun.
Payne was laid to rest a month after he fell to his death from a balcony in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
It marks the first public appearance Malik has made with the group since he left the band in 2015.
Back then, the pop star left One Direction, citing “stress,” after withdrawing from the group’s world tour.
It didn’t take long for the rest of the band to split later that year, and despite reassuring fans that the break wouldn’t be permanent — it ended up being that way.
Just days after Payne’s tragic death from falling from a third-floor hotel balcony in Argentina on October 16, the band released a joint statement sharing their grief.
“We’re completely devastated by the news of Liam’s passing, and when everyone is able to, there will be more to say,” they wrote on social media.
“But for now, we will take some time to grieve and process the loss of our brother, who we loved dearly.”
In a separate tribute on Instagram, Styles said Payne’s “greatest joy was making other people happy.”
“The years we spent together will forever remain among the most cherished years of my life. I will miss him always, my lovely friend,” he wrote.
Tomlinson described Payne as “the kind brother I’d longed all my life for.”
“Liam was in my opinion the most vital part of One Direction,” he said on Instagram.
“His experience from a young age, his perfect pitch, his stage presence, his gift for writing. The list goes on. Thank you for shaping us Liam.”
Meanwhile, Malik said: “I never got to thank you for supporting me through some of the most difficult times in my life.
“When I was missing home as a 17-year-old kid you would always be there with a positive outlook and reassuring smile and let me know you were my friend and that I was loved.”
On Wednesday, the group, joined by music mogul Simon Cowell and Payne’s girlfriend Kate Cassidy, led mourners outside the church where the singer was laid to rest.
The casket with silver handles was adorned with white roses.
A red floral tribute reading “son” and a blue “daddy” were placed on top of a white carriage drawn by two horses with plumes.
The star’s heartbroken parents, Geoff and Karen, followed behind in a black Mercedes people carrier.
The funeral was private and attended by just his family and closest friends.
A wake took place following the service.
This article originally appeared in The Sun and was reproduced with permission.
More Coverage
Originally published as Liam Payne funeral: Emotional One Direction stars reunite after nearly a decade
‘Dragged to hotel room’: Drugged Liam Payne’s desperate act
A judge has revealed more details about Liam Payne‘s final moments, and what led to the singer falling off a hotel balcony.
Star’s daughter in hospital after withdrawals
The daughter of Blink-182 drummer Travis Barker has been transported to a Los Angeles-area hospital and looked over by medical professionals.